Aluminum 359.0
AA 359.0 · UNS A03590
359.0 (UNS A03590) is a higher-magnesium Al-Si9Mg foundry alloy in the ANSI/AA 3xx.x family, heat treatable to T6, T61 and T62 for greater strength than 356/357.
Reference datasheet — 359.0 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T61 condition
359.0 tempers and conditions
359.0 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. T61 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Use only for non-structural parts or as the starting state before solution treatment. | 100 | 185 | 5 | 55 HB | 38 % IACS |
T61Default T6 variant, underaged | The standard supplied condition for 359.0 permanent-mold castings: high strength with usable ductility. | 250 | 325 | 5 | 80 HB | 35 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | General peak-aged condition where the tighter T61/T62 aerospace schedules are not specified. | 250 | 320 | 5 | 82 HB | 35 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Pick when maximum yield strength is required and slightly lower ductility is acceptable (aerospace/missile housings). | 285 | 340 | 4 | 90 HB | 36 % IACS |
What is 359.0?
359.0 (UNS A03590) is a higher-magnesium Al-Si9Mg foundry alloy in the ANSI/AA 3xx.x family, heat treatable to T6, T61 and T62 for greater strength than 356/357. It is chosen for permanent-mold and low-pressure castings such as aircraft wheels and high-strength automotive parts; default values are 250 MPa yield, 325 MPa tensile, 5% elongation, 80 HB, 72 GPa modulus and 138 W/m·K. Service temperature tops out near 150 °C, electrical conductivity is 35% IACS, and the 9% Si eutectic is abrasive to machine (machinability 55) and anodizes grey. Use 356.0 or A357.0 where castability and cost outweigh peak strength. 359.0 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F). 359.0 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is 359.0 used for?
- aircraft wheels
- structural castings
- high-strength automotive parts
359.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 359.0-T61; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
359.0 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 566°C (1,051 °F).
Mechanical11
359.0 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
359.0 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 20.9 µm/m·K (11.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
359.0 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 359.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
359.0's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 359.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 359.0
Is 359.0 easy to machine?
Machines well with polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling at high speed; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly, so use sharp rake and flood coolant.
Can 359.0 be welded?
TIG/MIG weldable with 4043 (or 4643/4009 for re-heat-treatable joints); weld before solution treatment and re-age to restore T6 properties.
Can 359.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — excellent fluidity and pressure tightness in permanent-mold and low-pressure casting; Sr/Na modification plus chill control needed for fine eutectic and full T6 response; not cold formable.
359.0 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| Mgprincipal strengthening element | 0.5 – 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Femax; low Fe preserves ductility | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Timax; grain refinement | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 359.0?
Chromate conversion or hardcoat anodize for protection; decorative anodize turns grey due to 9 % Si; polishes to a satin rather than mirror finish.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 359.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A03590
How much does 359.0 cost?
359.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
359.0 — frequently asked
What is 359.0 used for?
359.0 is typically used for aircraft wheels, structural castings and high-strength automotive parts. In short: stronger T6 than 356/357; aerospace wheel casting alloy; weldable and re-heat-treatable.
What is the yield strength of 359.0?
359.0 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 359.0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines well with polished-flute carbide or PCD tooling at high speed; abrasive eutectic Si wears HSS quickly, so use sharp rake and flood coolant.
Can 359.0 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). TIG/MIG weldable with 4043 (or 4643/4009 for re-heat-treatable joints); weld before solution treatment and re-age to restore T6 properties.
What surface finishes work on 359.0?
Chromate conversion or hardcoat anodize for protection; decorative anodize turns grey due to 9 % Si; polishes to a satin rather than mirror finish.
Can 359.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy only — excellent fluidity and pressure tightness in permanent-mold and low-pressure casting; Sr/Na modification plus chill control needed for fine eutectic and full T6 response; not cold formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of 359.0?
359.0 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 359.0-T61 and 359.0-F?
T61 is the default condition — the standard supplied condition for 359.0 permanent-mold castings: high strength with usable ductility. F: use only for non-structural parts or as the starting state before solution treatment. Yield strength is 250 MPa in T61 versus 100 MPa in F.
How much does 359.0 cost?
359.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ANSI H35.1 / Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Registration Record of Aluminum Casting Alloys — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASTM B108 — Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B26 — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook — Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.